A's trade Yoenis Cespedes for Lester and Gomes

Oakland A's fans come to grips with the blockbuster trade that sent fan favorite Yoenis Cespedes to Boston.

by Matt Keller and Nick Smith

Thursday, July 31, 2014

OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) --

The Oakland Athletics and Boston Red Sox pulled off a blockbuster trade Thursday that sent outfielder Yoenis Cespedes to Boston for pitcher Jon Lester and outfielder Jonny Gomes.

Cespedes has won the All-Star Game home run derby contest the past two years and he's also known for his rocket arm.

His two and half seasons are now Oakland A's history.

Fans lit up the phone lines at 95.7 The Game, the flagship radio station for the A's. Host Chris Townsend says a lot of fans were upset when they heard the news.

"I think as the day goes on people realize you're getting a prime-time pitcher. You're getting a guy that's got two World Series rings. You're getting a guy that's 3-0 all time in the World Series with a 0.49 ERA. You're getting someone very special; top of the rotation guy. So, I think A's fans are coming around on the trade," he said.

General Manager Billy Beane has put together a potent starting rotation. Analysts say the A's, with the addition of Lester, could have the best pitching in baseball. But, for fans, the success of the trade will be determined by one thing: A world championship.

"I'm not feeling it just yet. But, you know what, wins. If you get wins, that means a lot, "said A's fan Stephen Monroe.

Ironically, the A's were planning on a Yoenis Cespedes t-shirt giveaway before Saturday's upcoming home game against the Kansas City Royals. The team plans to go ahead and honor the promotional giveaway.

The first 10,000 fans would have gotten the "La Potencia" t-shirt. But, moments after the trade announcement, the team updated their website to remove news of the giveaway promotion.